Glory players celebrate after the game. Picture: Justin Benson-cooper Source: PerthNow
IT was a cruel end to Sydney FC's season last night, with Alessandro Del Piero and his Sky Blues denied a shot at finals football by the barest margin - goal difference.
Perth Glory's draw with Adelaide ensured last season's grand finalists squeezed into the top six and forced out Frank Farina's team.
A 58th-minute goal from Adrian Zahra, in front of a Perth record crowd of 16,707, was crucial for Glory.
Adelaide, who will still host a final next weekend, dragged a goal back in stoppage time through Jake Barker-Daish - his first A-League goal - to give the Sky Blues what turned out to be false hope.
A brilliant save from Danny Vukovic, denying Adelaide talisman Dario Vidosic with the final kick of the game, only broke Sydney hearts.
Perth were the better team last night and will fancy their chances with an experienced line-up that can stand up to the rigours of finals football.
They also have a victory over third-placed Melbourne Victory in the bank to give them some heart should they meet next week.
Champions Brisbane Roar will likely head to Adelaide for the other semi-final, also confident they can make some noise in the high-stakes matches to follow.
If Wellington beat Victory by two goals today, then Roar will have to face Victory and Adelaide will sneak into third place and face a re-match with Glory. However, that scenario looks unlikely.
The Glory are a tough, experienced team and they squeezed the life out of the Reds last night.
It was a great result for interim coach Alistair Edwards.
They were especially impressive in the midfield and will welcome back star striker Shane Smeltz and playmaker Liam Miller.
Ryo Nagai missed a first-half penalty, with Reds keeper Eugene Galekovic tapping it on to the bar.
Nicky Ward was industrious for Glory and Dean Heffernan was strong up front.
Nagai was classy and a deserved man of the match despite missing his spot kick.
With the Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast having the week off, they are still in prime position for the grand final.
However, all games are sudden death from here on and nothing can be taken for granted.
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